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A crowd showed up for a last minute memorial of a young man who's life was lost in a tragic automobile accident early morning Feb. 12.

Deshawn Roland was known not only for being a skilled athlete, but also a great person, said speakers at the event, which was held at 6 p.m.

"An outpouring of love," Coach Aaron Richardson said, is what the night was about. He spoke of how tragedy hits small communities and choked back tears as he spoke about remembering the guy who "meant so much to all of us."

Chiefland lost a standout football star and all around nice guy when two vehicles crashed at 1:35 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, in front of the Marathon gas station, formerly the South Chevron, on U.S. Highway 19 in South Chiefland.

Former Chiefland Indians football player Deshawn Roland, 20, died during surgery at Shands Hospital in Gainesville. At least three others were hospitalized with serious injuries after the crash, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report.

The Greater Chiefland Area Chamber of Commerce honored two area residents for their volunteer efforts at its annual Citizen of the Year Banquet Tuesday night.

The first award, the Humanitarian of the Year Award, was presented to Harry Coleman for his countless hours of volunteerism at Haven Hospice.

The second award of the evening, the Citizen of the Year Award, was presented to Ray Tremblay, Deputy Captain of the Chiefland Police Department, for his many selfless acts including conducting R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense) courses on his own time.

The Levy County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating absconded sexual predator Lamont Lewis Nelson, 34. He has been missing and on the run since April 2014. LCSO has exhausted all leads which could result in his apprehension.

Nelson is described as a African American male, 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-7 inches tall, between 150 and 175 pounds. Nelson has worn earrings in both ears. He was last seen with short cropped hair and a goatee.

It started with a simple complaint: A reporter said he and others in the back of the commission meeting room could not hear what was being said. It appeared the overhead speakers did not work.

The fix included new sound and recording equipment, a new dais for commissioners so wiring could be hidden, new microphones, comfy seats for the public even if fewer in number, and a bill for $57,379.09 for taxpayers.

The Levy County School Board has cancelled its contract with its first choice for construction of the new Williston Middle High School and is now negotiating with its second ranked choice for the project.

The vote to end talks with Gilbane Building Company's Jacksonville unit came during the Tuesday, Feb. 10 board meeting and was unanimous.

The Levy County Drug Task Force — acting on tips from the public and provided through Crime Stoppers — located and dismantled a methamphetamine lab in the Ocala Highlands West area and arrested a Morriston man. More arrests are expected in the case.

The actions came in its investigation of individuals making and selling meth, according to a Levy County Sheriff's Office press release.

On Jan. 30, the members of AMVETS Post 88 stepped up and put their money where their mouths are. AMVETS is all about taking care of our community and our veterans.

Once they learned about “A VET’S LAST WISH” (a non-profit organization in Williston) they knew they had to help the founder, Steve Rhonomus, raise some more funds. They had a fundraiser and among the four groups (AMVETS, Sons of AMVETS, Ladies Auxiliary and Riders) they were able to get $2,180 raised to help veterans who are close to the end of their lives have a “Wish” come true.